The only Mercedes part on the BuMerc was the body, which was removed from a
wrecked SSK and modified by Byron Jersey. Engine was a 320" Buick
straight-eight, and the chassis was Buick Century. Design work was done by
Charles Chayne, chief engineer at Buick. Engine was move back in frame, and
more compression and more cam was added. Weight was 2840 lb. 0-50 mph was
about 7 seconds. Was originally built as a street car, but raced at the 1940
Worlds Fair Grand Prix by Miles Collier (wrecked). After the war it was raced
occasionally and driven on the road. Finished 2nd in the first Watkings Glen
Grand Prix in 1948 . In 1949 it was re-engined with a 1949 Buick Century and
George Roberts finished 3rd at the Glen with it. All this info from Vintage
Motorsport March/April 1992 issue (American Specials series). There are also
lots of photos.
Harold Pace
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